asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he is aware that there is at present a slump in the pig trade, and if he will consider the advisability of applying a prohibitive tariff on imported bacon, with a view to stabilising the home market for the Irish product.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TARIFF ON IMPORTED BACON.
Mr. HOGAN
I am aware that the prices of pork and bacon pigs are relatively low at present, because of overproduction in some of the countries which supply the markets of Great Britain, notably in Denmark. There are, however, indications that production is being restricted in these countries, and this circumstance, together with the coming of colder weather, will tend to improve prices in the near future. Irish farmers should not, therefore, in my opinion, reduce their breeding stocks.
As regards the concluding portion of the question, the matter is one which should be raised in the form of an application made by some of the interests concerned—the farmers or the curers—to the Minister for Finance, for submission to the Tariff Commission.